Kathryn Earns Gold Award

Kathryn, a senior at Vestavia Hills High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Kathryn earned her Gold Award for her project Glenwood Garden and Youth Autism Awareness. Her project focused on creating an attractive and stimulating environment for the residents of Glenwood and the Allen Scott School for autistic individuals. After extensive research, Kathryn learned that many autistic people are either hyposensitive or hypersensitive, and decided that planting lilies and herbs in the Glenwood Garden would help them stimulate some of their senses. To raise awareness for her project, Kathryn set up booths at her church and ballparks in her community to educate others about understanding and accepting autistic behaviors instead of viewing them as “not normal.” Kathryn is currently working with the Vestavia Hills mayor to support an autistic awareness day every year.

“The most successful part of my project was educating others about treating everyone equally regardless of their appearance or abilities,” says Kathryn, “It’s also nice to drive by the Glenwood school and see the residents sitting in the garden.”

“By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award,” said Trish Coghlan, CEO of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, “Kathryn has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart.

The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion. Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients, and girls who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements.

Girl Scout Gold Award
The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting; it recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Since 1916, girls have successfully answered the call to Go Gold, an act that indelibly marks them as accomplished members of their communities and the world. For more information about the Gold Award, visit girlscoutsnca.org/gogold.